Morrissey: Crowdfunding is “desperate and insulting”

Last year Morrissey put out a new album, ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’. But then he fell out with Universal/Capitol’s Harvest imprint and revoked the licensing deal through which it had been released. As a result, it was removed from sale.

At the time, Morrissey said he believed that there was “a label out there with my name on it, and one that will issue ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’, and afford it the respect it deserves”. No such label has yet been found though.

Confirming that the search has been fruitless, the singer told Spanish newspaper El Pais: “I recently contacted some labels and all have rejected me. Pop music lives in the era of marketing which just leads to people with very low levels of competition, it is much easier to get rid of them once six months of fame have evaporated”.

But music also lives in an era of greater options for independent artists, leaving many to wonder why he hasn’t just self-released the record, maybe crowdfunding to cover the initial costs. Well, here’s your answer: “[Crowdfunding] is a desperate measure, and insulting to your audience”.

As a result, Morrissey is now solely a touring artist, it seems. But he’s fine with that: “It’s the only option left for me but fortunately it’s very good and exciting. The only unpleasant part of this is that, whenever a concert is cancelled the story captures attention, but if the concert takes place it will hardly be mentioned. Many people enjoy writing negative things about me. Which is fine with me. Let them, if it makes them happy”.